H.R. 794 (113th): To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for treatment of clinical psychologists as physicians for purposes of furnishing clinical psychologist services under the Medicare Program.

Ms. Schakowsky (for herself, Mrs. Christensen, Ms. Chu, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Honda, Ms. Moore, and Mr. Pierluisi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for treatment of clinical psychologists as physicians for purposes of furnishing clinical psychologist services under the Medicare Program.

1.

Treatment of clinical psychologists as physicians for purposes of furnishing clinical psychologist services

(a)

In general

The first sentence of section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(r)) is amended—

(1)

by striking or before (5); and

(2)

by inserting before the period the following: , or (6) a clinical psychologist, but only with respect to the furnishing of qualified psychologist services described in subsection (ii) for which the psychologist is legally authorized to perform by the State and who is acting within the scope of the psychologist’s license (or other authorization under State law).

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2014.